Situated Professional Practice


Site Demographics:


Site 1 for this situated professional practice (SPP) is a P-12 independent college with an enrolment of just over 1300. Teaching spaces within the library include an ELC (Electronic Learning Centre) which houses 28 networked computers and a data projector; a large junior area with tables, chairs and a reading pit; a large teaching space with tables and chairs for class groups; an area for small groups, with coffee tables and ottomans; and 8 designated OPAC computers. A mezzanine level houses a multi-media room with interactive white board (currently used by ESOL tutors due to a lack of available space), and a teacher reference room with additional small room allocated to audiovisual recording. The library staff at site 1 comprise 2.5 teacher librarians, a qualified library technician, and a library aide; both in full-time positions. This is my first year as a teacher librarian, and I am currently on a 0.5 FTE (full time equivalent) contract.

2013 Update for Site 1:
I am now permanent full time (as of January 2012), and currently teaching 4 lessons of Physical Education in addition to my role as teacher librarian. Site 1 was completely renovated and extended prior to 2012 and is now a future-focused learning space incorporating a junior reading room, two teaching spaces, five collaborative booths, three meeting rooms, interactive tables, and comfortable seating spaces.

Site 2 for this SPP is a P-12 independent college located south of Brisbane, with an enrolment of 905 students in years 7-12. The library at site 2 employs 1 full-time teacher librarian, 1 library technician, and 1 library aide.

Site 3 is a P-12 Catholic school on the northern Gold Coast, Queensland, with an enrollment of approximately 1300 students. The library at site 3 employs 2 full-time teacher librarians, 2 full-time library assistants and 3 Information Communication Learning and Technology staff.


Breakdown of SPP Hours and Activities:


Site 1: 40 hours [2010 - 2013]
  • See below for activities and responsibilities at site 1.

Site 2: 10 hours [2010, 2013]
  • One day (total of 6 hours) was spent observing the teacher librarian in 2010, followed by a morning (total of 4 hours) in 2013.

Site 3: 8 hours [2013]
  • One full day (total of 8 hours) was spent observing the teacher librarian in her day-to-day duties.

Responsibilities, classes, and professional development at site 1, 2010:


Preparatory library lessons:
  • 1 class, 40 minute lessons, once a week.

Year 1 'Worlds in our World' library lessons:
  • 3 classes, 40 minute lessons, once a week during term 2.

Year 2 'Fractured Fairytales' library lessons:
  • 2 classes, 40 minute lessons, once a week during term 2.

Year 3 'Space' library lessons:
  • 2 classes, 40 minute lessons, once a week during term 2.

Years 4-6 Scholastic Lexile testing and literature promotion:
  • 5 classes, 40 minute lessons, once a week during term 1


Observation of year 7 and 8 literature lessons.
Assisting with circulation, shelvi​ng, and book displays.
Shelving of teacher reference resources.
Cataloguing Clickview audiovisual files.

Completion of 'How 2 of Web 2' online professional development course.
Attendance at the Somerset International Conference.
Attendance at SLAQ dinner with Carole Wilkinson.

Site 1, 2013:

  • Year 10 Humanities, blended learning model. Responsibility for organizing and structuring the OneNote content for each term. Collaborative teaching, 2 lessons per week. Preparation of Libguides to assist students with research tasks.
  • Year 7 English. 4 classes per fortnight. Classes involve a combination of literature studies and technology integration - students creating websites to be used as an e-portfolio for their work in year 7 and 8.
  • Lunchtime technology tutorials, 6-8 per term. These are offered twice a week, for students in years 10-12.
  • Writing of the weekly Acti Ludi article, to promote the iCentre and maintain a relationship with the wider school community.
  • Weekly publication of The SSC PLC to promote professional learning with the college staff.
  • Professional Development sessions with staff on pupil-free days - technology related.
  • Research sessions with Science classes prior to beginning assessment tasks.
  • Maintenance of iCentre website.
  • Ordering print resources.
  • Attendance at all relevant Professional Development, including EduTECH, SLAQ, ASLA, Reading Matters, Copyright seminars, 21st Century Fluencies Workshop and D2L (Integrated learning environment at site 1).
  • General library duties - shelving, circulation, limited cataloguing when necessary, displays.
  • Administrator of iCentre Facebook page.
  • Administrator of Digital Citizenship in Schools Facebook page.